The North Battleford man has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of uttering threats to cause harm and death. He will face the Justice of the Peace tonight and is expected to make a court appearance May 28.

The Saskatoon Police Service made the arrest after receiving information from the public after reports of the incident circulated.

The sexual assault took place around 1 p.m. May 23 on the U of S campus. The female victim reported being convinced to go with the man to a parking lot near Seminary Crescent. When they arrived, the suspect sexually assaulted the female before fleeing on foot.

UPDATE (28/5/2012): The University of Saskatchewan has released an email to all faculty, staff, and students regarding a connection between the suspect arrested following the May 23 sexual assault and a robbery that occurred on campus May 10. The text of the email can be read below:

“The Saskatoon Police Service has informed us a 22 year old male was scheduled to appear in Provincial Court this morning charged in connection with a robbery with violence which occurred this month.

At approximately 12:00 p.m., May 10, 2012, a female was jogging on the MVA trail toward the train bridge on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River. She was grabbed from behind by a male who threatened to physically harm her. The suspect robbed the woman of her iPod and fled the scene. She was not physically harmed.

The male is also facing charges in connection with a second incident, a sexual assault which occurred on May 23, 2012 on the University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon campus. He will also be appearing in Provincial Court on those charges.”

UPDATE (18/6/2012):

Josiah Jerome Blackplume, the 22-year-old man arrested in connection with the assaults, pleaded guilty to robbery, uttering threats and sexual assault charges in provincial court May 31. On June 1, Judge Rosemary Weisgerber accepted the Crown and the defence’s joint recommendation of a four-year term and sentenced Blackplume to four years in prison.

Blackplume must also comply with the national sex offender registry for the rest of his life and cannot own or possess a firearm within 10 years of his release.

Prior to his arrest, he was reported to police by his wife, a U of S student, who had recognized him in a surveillance photo sent via email notification to all students, staff and faculty of the university.

Blackplume was then found by North Battleford RCMP attempting to commit suicide in the North Saskatchewan River and was put in protective custody for his threats of further attempts.

Defence lawyer Deb Hopkins said that Blackplume was sexually abused as a child and now suffers from schizophrenia.

Weisgerber advised that Blackplume be transferred to the Regional Psychiatric Centre or to a similar facility.

The Sheaf apologizes for the delay in publishing the most recent update.

A sexual assault was reported to the University of Saskatchewan Protective Services, formerly Campus Safety, on

Shoplifting in Place Riel:Click to expand

A male subject was caught stealing from the Mac’s Convenience Store in Lower Place Riel on Dec. 12. The theft was verified by surveillance footage, and all information was relayed to the Saskatoon Police Service for action.

Stolen vehicle:Click to expand

On Dec. 13, members of Protective Services were surprised to witness a vehicle leaving Aird Street and Cumberland Avenue South at high speed. The vehicle accelerated toward College Drive, where it drove on the grass by the Stadium Parkade and then left, westbound on the wrong side of the road. Officers called off their pursuit and contacted the Saskatoon Police Service, who stated they had been tracking the vehicle all night, as it had been stolen. No one on campus was injured.

Power breakers shut off:Click to expand

Sometime on Dec. 16, two males were suspected of shutting off all of the breakers near Moose Lounge in Saskatchewan Hall. Although images of the suspects were caught on surveillance footage, anyone with information should contact Protective Services.

Possession of stolen property:Click to expand

On Jan. 9, officers stopped a suspicious individual on a bicycle near the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the individual was in possession of a stolen bicycle and was wanted for warrants with the police. The bicycle was seized by Protective Services and returned to its owner.

Broken ceiling tile:Click to expand

Residence custodians reported on Jan. 14 that a ceiling tile had been purposefully broken on the second floor of Saskatchewan Hall. Anyone with information regarding this damage should contact Protective Services or Residence Services.

Laptop theft:Click to expand

Two laptops were stolen from Arts Room 48 on the evening of Jan. 23. Both laptops were detached forcibly from their security cables, which would have resulted in damage to the body and casing of each laptop. Both are described as black Lenovo T440p laptops. Anyone with information is advised to contact Protective Services.

Broken door glass:Click to expand

Officers were dispatched to Pine Hall to investigate damage to the front doors of the building on Jan. 27. Surveillance cameras in the area identified a male subject, who had kicked the door several times, causing it to break. Upon arrival, officers were able to identify the individual, who had sustained injuries as a result of the related mischief.

Vehicle hits fire hydrant:Click to expand

Protective Services received a call regarding a vehicle that was stuck near Veterinary Road on Jan. 28. A tow truck was contacted to assist with the removal of the vehicle. It was then discovered that the vehicle was caught on the remains of a fire hydrant, which had been sheared off during the collision. The U of S Grounds Department was able to isolate the hydrant, so the vehicle could be removed without concern.